Respiratory mask



March 1932.

J. E. LEDuc RESPIRATQRY MASK Filed Jan. 8, 1950 2 Sheet 1 zem nventoMarch 15, 1932. J. E. LEDUC RESPIRATORY MASK 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan.8, 1930 A t mm" eys I ventor kw Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE I JOSEPH EIDOUARD LEDUC, OF monrnnnndunnno, CANADA,Assrenon or ONE-HALF TO PAUL A. nronnn, or wnsrivroun'r, QUEBEC, CANADARESPIRATORY MASK Application filed January 8, 1930. Serial No. 419,415.:

The present invention relates to improvements in respiratory masks andhas for its primary object to provide a simple and inexpensive maskwhich can be conveniently applied to effectively cover and. protect themouth and nose of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a respiratory maskof the above character which will be extremely sanitary andwhich can bemanufactured of such material as to be discarded or destroyed after useduring a single operation, I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a respiratory maskwhich can be employed in conjun ction with a head piece designedto'restrain' the hair and obviate the same falling over the faceof theoperator.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a mask of theabove type which I will retain its proper form for suitable period oftime and which will be efiicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentas thedescrip tion progresses. o

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like reference characters are employed to designate correspondingparts throughout the same: a

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview SllOWiIlg the mask and headpiece disposed in operative arrangement upon the head of a wearer,

Figure 2 is an enlarged front'elevational view ofthe mask in assembledwearing arrangement. r a V -Figure 3 is a transverse section takenon theline 8-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an end view of the assembled- Figure 9 is a plan viewoftheconstituent elements of the mask inflat separated ar-v rangement,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the fiatunfold- J Referring to the drawings,wherein for the" purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodimentof the invention, the numeral 20 generally designates the mask formingpiece, I

which is preferably formed of flexible, inex- 3 pensive material, suchas paper. The mask.

piece 20 is originally formed in and normal- 1y retains, prior to use, afiat condition hav ing a substantially elliptical form provided I withV-shaped'notches 21in the ends thereof. A nose covering portion 22projectstranse versely from the upper edge at the intermediate portionof the piece, the purpose of which will be later described. The maskpiece is out, at intervals,to' forma series of interrupted slits 23"having an arcuate form adjacent the ends and straight parallelextensions at' the intermediate portion of the piece so as to define thecentre portion in the mask.

20 and securely attached thereto is a pad forming strip 24, preferablyembodying a strip of absorbent paper having an elongated shape roundedat the ends and conforming to the form of the mask slits 23 so astoassume a position coincident therewith. Projecting transversely from thebottom edge of the pad strip 24; is a longitudinally elongated lip 25,the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. 1

, In order to permit convenient and effective connection of the padstrip with the mask piece, a pair of complementary fastening members 26are provided, these members being preferably of metalli'cstructureembodying an arcuate body having a transversely extending web 27disposed at a medial position Formed so as to be fittedin the mask pieceand provided at the outer edges with laterally v projecting pointedprongs 28. At a position opposed to the web 27 the body is cutto formFigure 11 is anedge View of the same,

a V-shaped notch 29 adjacent which the body is formed with slitsproviding, at the margins of the notch, a pair of outwardly divergingtongues 30 arranged between the side wings of the body and formed withlateral prongs at their outer ends.

For the purpose of retainingthe mask on 7 the face of the wearer, areprovided two'sections of flexible connecting members 31, preferablyembodying elastic cords. One end of each cord, in assembly, will beconnected with the end portions of the mask through the 'medium of thefastening clips 26. The opfastening cords.

The constituent elements of the mask are originally formed andsubseoiuently stored in flat condition, as shown to advantage in Figures-8 to 12 inclusive, and are preferably packed in a sanitary air sealedcontainer.

When required for use, the elements are assembled by initially attachingthe fastener clips 26 to the pad member 24. This is ac-..

I complished by placing the: webof each fastener over the end portion ofthe padand bending the tongues 30. into doubled arrangement in opposedpositionon theopposite side of the-pad, the prongs 28 carried by the weband tongues being firmly pressed into the pad to prevent disconnectionof the fastener. Thus, the intermediate portion of the fastener elementswill be tightly clamped over the ends of the pad strip while the sidebody wings will project beyond'the end thereof. Dure.

ing theconnection of the fastener with the pad strip, one end of each ofthe cords 31 is compressed between the doubled portions of the;1 clipsto securely attachthe same to the pa 1 V r The padstripand clips arethen associated with the" mask pieceu20 by positioning the pad againstthe rear side of the mask and disposed so that the edge of the pad stripwill coincide with the slits 23 formed for this purpose. The outwardlyprojecting wings of l the fastener 26 are then forced'through the endportions of the'slits, the V-shapedf notch in the fastener coincidingwith the end connecting portion between the end strips.

The outer marginal portion of the mask piece20is then bent inwardly atan acute angle with the plane of the central portion whi'cli retains astraight form, the upper and lowersideportions of the piece .beingfoldedon parallel creased lines; forming a nose and chin cover, while the endsarebent in substantially doubled arrangement with the wings of theclips, as shown in Figures 3 and, to form ing the marginal portion aplurality of apertures 35 are formed in the ends of the mask, providingindirect openings for proper respiration. Before placing the mask in amouth and nose covering position on the wearer, the pad strip 24: andlip 25 protruding therefrom are saturated with an antiseptic solution. r

As previously stated, the pad strip 24 comprises a lip, 25 which isadapted to snugly fit over the lower lip of the wearer, the edge of saidlip 25 being furthermore adapted to follow the curve of the chin wherebydirect radiation of the-breath may be prevented at, this point andabsorption of the humidity from the mouth be effectually had bymeans ofsaid absorbent lip 25. A'gain, this member 25 is useful to preventdirect projection of the saliva of the wearer during talking orotherwise.

in the ears 33 of the head band 32. The band is disposed on the foreheadof the wearer immediately in front of the hair, the band strip beingbentlongitudinally in arc'uate disposition with one edge resting uponthe forehead and the band proj ecting upwardly. The mask is thenproperly positioned in a nose and mouth covering arrangement and thecords 31 fitted back of the ears of the wearer so as to securely retainthe head band and mask in convenient position.

' The head band 32 will serve to restrain the hair of the operator,obviating the possibility of the hair falling over the face andobstructing the eyes as well as protecting the same against directexposure to the respira tion of the patient.

The mask will be maintained in a position One end of each of the sidecords 31 is also connected with the eyelet forming sleeves 34c"effectively covering the nose and mouth to V obviate any direct forwardexpiration, or the inspiration of the exhalations of the patient. Theantiseptic pad, being placed directly in front'of the mouth and nose,will protect the wearer by the destruction of bacteria during the]respiration of the wearer.

-It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes as to the shape,

size, and arrangementof parts may be reof relatively spaced slits formedat opposite points thereon, a pad of absorbent material positioneduponone face of said body, fastener means carried by portions, of the'pad.

and passed through the spaced slits on the body to extend upon the otherface of the latter for retaining the pad thereon, and means fixed to thepad by said fastener means for securing the mask in position upon thewearer. V

2. A respiratory mask comprising a substantially flat body of flexiblematerial and having relatively spaced slits formed at opposite pointsthereon defining a central and marginal portion, the marginal portion ofsaid body being adapted to be bent in relation to the central portion toconstitute a nose and mouth covering, and the slits in said body formingapertures with the bending of the marginal-portion in relation to thecentral portion of the body.

3. A respiratory mask comprising a substantially fiat body of flexiblematerial and having relative spaced slits formed at opposite pointsthereon defining a central and marginal portion, upon the latter, themarginal portion of said body being adapted to be bent in relation tothe central portion to constitute a nose and mouth covering, the slitsin said body forming apertures with the bending of the marginal portionin relation to the central portion of the latter, and semi-v rigid clipsassociated with said body and bendable in clamping position upon thelatter to retain the marginal portion in bent relation to the centralportion of the same.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7

JOSEPH EDOUARD LEDUC.

